Snooker World C’ship: Bingham to topple Murphy for fairytale finish
Published:
Stuart Bingham entered uncharted waters as soon as he reached the Snooker World Championship semi-final and just kept on wading.
After knocking out Ronnie O’Sullivan to reach the last four of his sport’s pinnacle tournament for the first time, the 38-year-old saw off Judd Trump in a thrilling Crucible encounter to win in the deciding frame.
Now, with a first World Championship final on the horizon, Bingham is rated as a 7/4 outsider against fellow Englishman Shaun Murphy, but shouldn’t be overlooked for victory.
In a tournament of firsts for “Ball-run” a first ever World Championship crown isn’t beyond him, despite a pitiful record against his opponent in recent times.
Murphy has triumphed over the Essex native in 10 of their 13 career clashes, with Bingham winning twice and one match ending a draw.
The last five battles have seen the 2005 World Champion either win or avoid defeat, but having toppled two of the best players in the tournament to reach this showpiece encounter, investing in Bingham to continue his fairytale storyline should be strongly considered.
A dabble into the century-break market is advised too, with both men in fine form as far as that is concerned.
Ladbrokes go 8/11 that Bingham registers over 1.5 in the match, with the six he’s knocked in during the tournament suggesting that is likely, while Murphy, who leads the tournament with 11 centuries, is given odds of 10/11 to score over 2.5.
If a bet on each man individually doesn’t appeal, then a combined line of 4.5 is given for total match centuries, at odds of 1/1.
Murphy is the favourite to record the highest break at 8/13, although it is Bingham who has the higher score during the tournament, with his 145 beating out his rival’s 138. Bingham is 6/5 to win out in this particular battle.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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